Charles gave William investiture lessons

THE Prince of Wales staged a dress rehearsal to teach the Duke of Cambridge the intricacies of hosting an investiture - complete with a sword sent especially from London.

Charles held the trial run for William during a family holiday at Birkhall in Scotland last month, ahead of William's first investiture ceremony last week at Buckingham Palace.

The heir to the throne taught his son how to dub a new knight with a blade and the training proved successful, as the ceremony apparently passed off without any problems.

The incident is described in a Time magazine interview with Prince Charles, who is the cover star of the latest edition of the publication.

Catherine Mayer, Time editor at large, chatted to the heir to the throne and some of his friends for the article.

"Prince William needs to master the key move of granting knighthoods, laying a blade on the shoulders of recipients, ideally without inflicting injury," Mayer wrote.

"So, on Sept 26, Charles interrupts a family visit at his Scottish residence Birkhall with his son, wife Camilla, daughter-in-law Kate and the youngest Windsor, baby George, to stage a dress rehearsal, using a sword that has been dispatched to Scotland from London along with George's Silver Cross pram."

Mayer also revealed that actress Emma Thompson is a passionate fan of the prince's footwork on the dance floor, describing dancing with him as "better than sex".

The editor at large also revealed that the high profile guests that grace Charles' dinner table are known as "Bond villains" by members of his household.

Prince Charles told Mayer of the motivation for his charity and public work.

"I've had this extraordinary feeling, for years and years, ever since I can remember really, of wanting to heal and make things better," he said.

"I feel more than anything else it's my duty to worry about everybody and their lives in this country, to try to find a way of improving things if I possibly can."